Page 9 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2016 Online Magazine

COVER STORY

The country is not a financial centre underscore two points: first, London as a
nor a hub like Hong Kong or Singapore yet strong business destination and secondly
the airline offers and fills 44 Business, 44 that growth constraints at London Heathrow
Premium Economy seats on its 777-300ERs have seen British Airways strategically
compared to Cathay Pacific’s 40 Business grow through a larger share of high-yielding
and 32 Premium Economy seats. passengers (across premium passengers and
And on top of that Air New Zealand has premium economy).”
its award winning and innovative SkyCouch “In absence of the ability to grow flights,
in Economy offering passengers a flat-bed British Airways has increased the number of
arrangement that is perfect for couples or a premium seats. In 1997 British Airways had
parent with two children. 332 economy seats on its 747-400; today it is
While there is no question First Class is a about 185,” the report said.
dying class in most parts of the world – with Nine of the world’s 10 largest first class
perhaps only its name being the allure that routes are to/from London Heathrow while
is keeping it flying but that “X factor” is alive 15 of the top 25 are also to/from London
and well in London and Dubai. Heathrow. Of the 15 routes to/from London
London Heathrow is home to nine of top Heathrow, British Airways is the largest first
10 first class routes and 15 of top 25 according class operator on nine of them. The top route
to a Centre for Aviation report. It states longer than 3,500km with the largest number
that “the world’s largest first class routes of first class seats when business class is

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